Accompaniment and Backing Tracks

Modified on Fri, 12 Sep at 10:19 AM

This guide explains Trinity’s requirements for accompaniment and backing tracks across Music Performance Qualifications. It outlines when live accompaniment is required, when recorded accompaniments are permitted, and which playback formats and responsibilities apply.

Classical & Jazz Exams

Face-to-face exams

Backing tracks are required for Drum Kit Group A, Acoustic Guitar (specified pieces) and Jazz Woodwind (most pieces). Tracks must be clearly audible; phone or tablet speakers are not acceptable.
For other instruments, accompaniment is expected unless the piece is listed as solo. Live piano accompaniment is standard; recorded accompaniment is permitted up to and including Grade 3 (and at all grades for Jazz Woodwind). Tracks must exclude the solo instrument line (i.e. no demo track). A count-in is allowed where no introduction exists.
Accompaniment should normally be on piano. Use of another instrument (e.g. accordion, drum) must be approved by Trinity at the time of booking.
Accompaniments may be simplified where necessary, but must not provide more help than the published piano part (e.g. doubling the solo line or adding rhythmic fills in held notes), otherwise the exam may be referred.
Long introductions or endings may be shortened if musically appropriate.
Candidates provide their own accompanists; Trinity cannot supply or recommend one, though the Teacher Directory may help.

Digital exams

Live or recorded accompaniment is permitted at all grades. If recorded, this can be on piano or an instrumental track, but it must not include the solo instrument line (i.e. no demo track). A count-in is allowed where no introduction exists.
Accompaniments may be simplified where necessary, but must not provide more help than the published piano part. Exams may be referred if this rule is not followed.
Recordings must be good quality, must not alter the difficulty, and must exclude the solo part unless written that way.
Candidates must provide and operate their own accompanist or playback equipment. A helper may operate playback if needed.

Drum Kit & Percussion – face-to-face

Centres provide playback equipment, operated by the examiner; candidates may request a sound check.
Candidates may use headphones if they bring their own headphones and splitter.
Drum Kit Group A pieces must be played with the backing track (with or without click, candidate’s choice, stated on appointment form). Drum Kit Group B pieces must be unaccompanied (no click or metronome).
Percussion candidates: accompanied works must not be played unaccompanied. Recorded backing tracks are only allowed up to Grade 3. From Grade 4, accompaniment must be live unless otherwise stated.

Rock & Pop Exams

Face-to-face exams

Backing tracks are operated by the examiner.
Songs 1 and 3 (technical focus) must use official Trinity backing tracks from the books.
Own-choice Song 2 may be:
- Unaccompanied (unless another Trinity book song is chosen)
- Performed with a backing track (excluding solo part; self-created is acceptable if good quality)
- Performed with added live vocals by the candidate
- Accompanied live by another musician (present for Song 2 only)
Own-choice backing tracks must be high-quality MP3 on USB stick or audio CD, excluding the solo part.
Only official Trinity tracks may be used for songs from the Rock & Pop books (no edits).
Rock & Pop Drums candidates may use backing tracks with or without click, noted on the appointment form.

Diploma Exams

Face-to-face

For single-line instruments, only one unaccompanied piece may be included.
Works with accompaniments must not be performed unaccompanied.
Candidates must provide their own accompanist (normally one).
Recorded accompaniments are not allowed, unless required by genre and approved in advance.
Examiners will not operate playback equipment. Any electrical equipment must meet safety standards.

Digital (ATCL and LTCL)

Recorded accompaniments may be used if:
- They match the published piano part
- They are clearly audible and played through an external speaker
- A count-in is included where no introduction exists
- No cues or extra instruments are added